Vehicle interior component

Abstract

A component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may comprise a housing comprising a tab and a cover coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position and an open position. The tab may exert a force against the cover when closed. The tab may be integrally formed with the housing. The tab may comprise a first portion coupled to the housing and a second portion comprising an arcuate protrusion to exert the force against the cover. The component may comprise a latch to secure the cover to the housing when closed. The tab may prevent latch disengagement. The tab may comprise a leaf spring. The component may comprise a biasing member coupled to the housing to exert a force against the cover through the tab when the cover is closed. The component may comprise a storage assembly, a sunglass bin or a console.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A component for a vehicle interior comprising:
 (a) a housing comprising a tab; and 
 (b) a cover pivotally coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position and an open position for access; 
 wherein the tab is integrally formed with the housing; 
 wherein the tab is configured so that when the cover is in the closed position the tab engages with the cover. 
 
     
     
       2. The component of  claim 1  wherein the tab comprises a first portion coupled to the housing and a second portion configured to exert a force against the cover in the closed position. 
     
     
       3. The component of  claim 2  wherein the second portion comprises a protrusion configured to exert the force against the cover in the closed position. 
     
     
       4. The component of  claim 3  wherein the protrusion comprises an arcuate profile. 
     
     
       5. The component of  claim 1  further comprising a latch configured to secure the cover to the housing in the closed position, wherein the tab is configured to at least partially prevent disengagement of the latch. 
     
     
       6. The component of  claim 1  wherein the tab does not exert any force against the cover when in the open position. 
     
     
       7. The component of  claim 2  wherein the force comprises a preload force. 
     
     
       8. The component of  claim 1  wherein the tab comprises a leaf spring. 
     
     
       9. The component of  claim 1  wherein the component comprises at least one of (a) a storage assembly, (b) a sunglass bin, (c) a console. 
     
     
       10. A component for a vehicle interior comprising:
 (a) a housing comprising a tab; 
 (b) a cover pivotally coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position and an open position for access; and 
 (c) a biasing member coupled to the housing; 
 wherein the tab is configured so that when the cover is in the closed position the tab engages with the cover; 
 wherein the biasing member is configured to exert a first force against the cover through the tab. 
 
     
     
       11. The component of  claim 10  wherein the tab is configured to exert a second force against the cover in the closed position. 
     
     
       12. The component of  claim 10  wherein the biasing member comprises a spring wire. 
     
     
       13. The component of  claim 10  wherein the housing comprises at least one hook configured to couple the biasing member to the housing. 
     
     
       14. The component of  claim 10  wherein the tab comprises a rib configured to engage the biasing member to prevent axial translation of the biasing member. 
     
     
       15. The component of  claim 10  wherein the tab is integrally formed with the housing. 
     
     
       16. The component of  claim 10  wherein the tab comprises a first portion coupled to the housing and a second portion configured to exert a second force against the cover in the closed position. 
     
     
       17. The component of  claim 10  further comprising a latch configured to secure the cover to the housing in the closed position wherein the tab is configured to at least partially prevent disengagement of the latch. 
     
     
       18. The component of  claim 10  wherein the tab does not exert any force against the cover when in the open position. 
     
     
       19. A component for a vehicle interior comprising:
 (a) a housing comprising a tab; and 
 (b) a cover pivotally coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position and an open position for access; 
 wherein the tab is configured so that when the cover is in the closed position the tab engages with the cover; 
 wherein the cover is configured to deflect the tab when the cover is in the closed position; 
 wherein the tab is configured to bias the cover to remain in the closed position. 
 
     
     
       20. The component of  claim 19  wherein the tab is configured so that when the cover is in the open position the tab is not in contact with the cover and when the cover is in the closed position the tab exerts a force against the cover.